6. Angelina Jolie Urged the United Nations Security Council to Make the Prevention of War Zone Rape a Priority.

Speaking as a special envoy for refugees, Jolie testified about the “hundreds of thousands” of men, women and children raped during conflicts. The actress and U.N. goodwill ambassador pleaded for the Council to act: “You set the bar…if the … council sets rape and sexual violence in conflict as a priority it will become one and progress will be made. If you do not, this horror will continue. These crimes happen not because they are inherent to war, but because the global climate allows it.” Following her testimony, the UNSC adopted its most broad resolution encompassing sexual violence during conflict.

5. Nigella Lawson Moved Out.

And speaking of violence against women, I’m thrilled to see Nigella is indeed the strong woman we believe her to be. After that incident where her asshole of a husband, Charles Saatchi brutally grabbed her by the throat (and if he felt comfortable doing that in public, I can’t imagine what happened in private.), Lawson called the movers and left.

4. HBO Films Put Out a “Clear History” Trailer.

People either love or despise Larry David, and this HBO film—in which David looks to be doing his usual schtick—will likely attract the usual crowd. It does have the added talents of pretty, pretty Jon Hamm, starring as David’s boss and the man who “ruins his life.” Shades of The Jerk, anyone? “Clear History” also features Michael Keaton, Amy Ryan, Bill Hader, Danny McBride, Eva Mendes, JB Smoove and Kate Hudson; it premieres on HBO August 10th.

3. “Game of Thrones” Cast the Red Viper.

* Please, do not refer to future book events in the comments.

Chilean actor Pedro Pascal has landed the role of the Prince of Dorne, Oberyn Martell, aka the Red Viper. “This was a tough one,” say showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss about the casting. “The Red Viper is sexy and charming, yet believably dangerous; intensely likable, yet driven by hate. The boys love him, the girls love him, and he loves them all back. Unless your last name is Lannister. We found a fellow who can handle the job description and make it seem effortless. He wasn’t easy to find and he won’t be easy to stop.”

2. The Prisoners Trailer Debuted.

I don’t know what fairy dust Jake Gyllenhaal is sprinkling, but I’m starting to buy what he’s selling. Gyllenhaal stars as a police officer assigned to a kidnapping case involving the six year old daughter (and her friend) of the Dovers (Hugh Jackman as Keller and Maria Bello as Grace). When law enforcement efforts don’t pan out, Keller takes matters into his own hands… Prisoners also stars Melissa Leo, Viola Davis and the ever-creeptastic, Paul Dano; it’s in theaters September 20th.

1. Bryan Fuller Extended An Offer to David Bowie.

Picture me running in circles, waving my arms up and down and generally acting the fool. Though I don’t generally go for stunt casting, this time I am all in. As he mentioned way back in April, “Hannibal” showrunner has formally asked David Bowie to play Mads Mikkelsen’s uncle, Count Robert Lecter—noting that although Thomas Harris’ story *Swipe for book spoiler: killed off the Count, that might not be the case for television Count. Yes please, all the OMFGs and I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep until Bowie answers. Fuller also mentioned he’s looking to cast Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane orderly, “Barney,” and would like to have Chi McBride “if he’s available.” Speaking about Season 2, the showrunner notes that because Red Dragon didn’t go into the whole story of Agent Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) being institutionalized, Fuller will be able to write the entire season as he wishes—adding his own spin on the backstory. *spoiler ahead!

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Comments Are Welcome, Bigots and Trolls Are Not

petitesuissesse

LEON IS BACK!

Snickerdoodlebug

But we can still, kill, maim and dismember people in a warzone, right?

John W

Can't get enough Bowie I always say.

Red Viper. "I'm so excited, I just can't hide it....."

Wow those photos of Nigella don't look good.

Milly

In my head the Martell's were always much darker in skin tone than the anglo-saxon/celt/briton/gaul/norse appearing characters that I pictured for elsewhere in Westeros.

Given the climate and the constant references to venomous snakes and spiced food I just pictured a Moroccan/North African appearance.

I suppose that someone of Iberian heritage - sweeping statement about spanish speaking Latin America I know - could fit the description but that plus the casting for Daario Naharis are the first things that don't quite click for me.

koko temur

I agree with you and the guy below on principal, but i think GRRM intended for martels to be ispanic. The 7 kingdoms is too small of a continent to be that racially diverse. Its basically europe, right? And the continent in the books is even smaller than that - its basically european map cut diagnolly from sweden to spain with england and germany in the middle.

Amanda Cotylo

I concur. It's very clearly stated in the books that the Martells: "in appearance they are classic salty Dornishmen, with dark eyes, dark hair in ringlets, and olive skin."

Milly

I agree in that someone from the Iberian peninsula - portugal or spain - could be the right choice, but of a darker colouring than the actor chosen. The actor is quite pale - similar to, and apologies for the football references, Andres Iniesta - and I was just imagining someone darker - such as, football again, Luis Figo.

Actually, if Luis Figo - multilingual person that he is - could act that's pretty much how the Viper appeared in my head!

koko temur

I see your point. Though i do think with those cheeckbones and facial hair he will look diffrent from the ethnicities we got so far and that is interesting.

I also googled Luis. Not what i pictured at all, but.... Foxy as hell. Great, great choice.

pfeiffer87

Same thought here, I have a sneaking suspicion that the creators of the show see Westeros = white and everywhere else = not white. That's why the slave worshipping khaleesi scene was particularly cringeworthy, in the books slaves and non-Westerosi come in every hue - slaves from Lys have blonde/silvery hair and violet-blue eyes but in the show every slave is a shade of brown. I feel that Benioff & Weiss are projecting a white-centric view of the world onto the show. So everyone from Westeros is white and all the foreigners/others are not. Bit weird and not how I envisaged it.

Jo 'Mama' Besser

I'm creeped out and I am not even familiar with the books or show.

Jerce

I don't think it's fair to call casting Bowie "stunt casting." I think Bowie's proven his acting chops over many years--doubt he'd ever win an award but he's more than competent. Most importantly, there's a tiny bit of a physical resemblance to Mikkelsen, which is appropriate for an uncle.I'm in severe Hannibal withdrawal, and it's only been a little over a week. Waaaaaah.

Maguita NYC

I haven't watched the finale yet... I need to, but at the same time feel the need to keep something for later to fill the void, and not go into withdrawal like the rest of the population.

Maguita NYC

Peer pressure! Now I have no choice but to watch it. At the very least, I'd finally understand those damn Archer innuendos you Pajibans are so fond of.

emmalita

I'm doing the same thing.

Maguita NYC

I've actually stopped at ep. 9... And am scared of going forward with the rest. What will I do afterwards??? Watch Big Brother?

koko temur

There is more good tv this season than you have hours in the day, worry not! have you checked out the british wonders broadchurch, the fall, ripper street? Plus new season of luther is right around the corner. top of the lake, if you feel like going dark.

emmalita

Put Archer on an endless loop.

Maguita NYC

Don't hate me... But I've never watched Archer before. Guess this summer of shitty TV programming would be the perfect time to catch-up!

Jo 'Mama' Besser

That show is more fun than a weekend at Sploosh Mountain!

emmalita

I don't hate you, I'm excited you have a chance to explore the magic. :)

Maguita NYC

I hope you're not over-selling it! I tried watching the first ep, but just did not click. Guess I'll fold to Pajiba pressure and keep watching.

Three_nineteen

I spent the entire first season not sure if I liked it or not, but by mid-season 2 I was hooked. I understand if you quit before that, but if took me a while to make up my mind.

emmalita

Please don't hate me if you don't love it.

Maguita NYC

Never!

Ruth Dunbar

Mads Mikkelsen ignites my loins, so any mention of His Danish Hotness and/or Hannibal will make me salivate. Good god, I'm not even a huge fan of Bowie and I think this is super awesome news. I just hope it happens -- I could be mistaken, but I thought I've heard that Bowie isn't in the best health.

Maguita NYC

He's doing much better apparently, and had a new album out in March. I really can see him playing Count Lecter to perfection. Just think of how well both Mads and David's high cheekbones will be playing off each other in cold calculating contemplation.

Ruth Dunbar

I'll burst into flames, and it shall be a good death.

Maguita NYC

And that is my design.

Nessun

^^Brilliant.

Maguita NYC

Thks, was hoping someone would understand the reference!

BlackRabbit

I'd make him wear the Labryrinth pants, just to make people combust. It would be a second Fourth of July.

Maguita NYC

Wow, Labyrinth... Such a loooooong time ago, I had to google those pants! They were basically tights with a tiny protective cup over the crotch area.

alwaysanswerb

Tiny?

Maguita NYC

Compared to what we've seen on Spartacus, Bowie's was minuscule...

alwaysanswerb

And that may be the last reminder that I'll ever need to start watching Spartacus.

Maguita NYC

And I would later on gladly shoulder the blame for your addiction.

Fabius_Maximus

Pascal certainly looks the part, but I have watched several things he was in and cannot remember him.

Prisoners seems to be a bit more complex than the last trailer suggested. For now, I'm looking forward to it.

koko temur

Usually it is hard to tell how well the casting is for GoT in those kind of articles, just because everybody look so much diffrent in leather and buckets of facial hair. This, however, i can see working right now. Hello there, Red Viper. Few months from now you'll get pajiba all hot and bothered.

Batesian

He's giving a Liam Neeson vibe in that photo, so I can buy into Red Viper having a particular set of skills that'd fit well in Westeros.

ferryman

Don't much care about Hannibal, firm kudos to A. Jolie as there is no acceptable excuse for rape under any conditions, and I'm not impressed with the choice for the Red Viper. Perhaps I'll be proven wrong, but so far it's miles apart from what my mind constructed while reading the books. Other characters have been a bit different than what the casting director in my mind envisioned, but none so far as this.

ferryman

I find down votes on this site to be purely based on differences of opinion. It's odd that someone would object to my first post as if I had expressed anything more horrible than my opinion, such as a personal attack. Should we just agree with all that is written, or assume that there appear to be many here that just can't tolerate a different opinion? If it's the latter, then I'm sorry, but I haven't received my indoctrination package from the site yet. Maybe I'll improve after I've been reprogrammed in the camps...

kucheza

I guess Pajibans didn't get the memo that disliking your post is tantamount to putting you in a "camp." Wow.

koko temur

Its more of a tone thing than opinions themselves, usually. Just fyi.

pfeiffer87

Some crazy psycho lurks and downvotes everything - don't take it personally.

F'mal DeHyde

I'm still a little resistant but I have a growing admiration for Jolie.

PerpetualIntern

I helped write that resolution. Proud PerpetualIntern :)

Jerce

She is far from perfect, but at least she tries to use her enormous fame to do some good, and I admire that.

emmalita

I admire the work Jolie has done for the UN. She has made an effort to educate herself and uses her fame to bring attention to some important issues. That doesn't make everything she does or says golden.

F'mal DeHyde

I'm not sure why you wrote that in response to my post, I didn't even insinuate that I think everything she does or says is golden. But thank you for the rather sanctimonious reply.

emmalita

I was agreeing with you. Jolie's work with the UN has also made me think more positively of her. I may have said it clumsily, but I didn't say it sanctimoniously.